This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Published on August 5, 2020, a Ksh. 1.7 billion scandal has rocked the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), prompting the Education Ministry to send six senior officials on a seven-month compulsory leave.
The affected officials, who were critical in facilitating online learning during the pandemic, include Ruth Mugambi, Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Olive Mbuthia, Director of Primary Education, Solomon Kathuo, Deputy Director of Finance, Emmanuel Mulwa, Deputy Director of Human Resources, Emily Sila, Deputy Director of the Resource Centre, and John Kimotho, Senior Director of Media.
The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) project has seen over Ksh. 1 billion spent to aid students in obtaining education online during the pandemic.
Human Rights Focus has written to the investigating agencies, including the Director of Criminal Investigation George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, to investigate the acting CEO of KICD, Joel Mabonga, for allegedly exploiting the tendering process and breaching human rights.
Despite the efforts to educate pupils and students online, a recent survey by a telecommunication company revealed that many students were opting for other platforms over KICD's online platform.
Human Rights Focus stated in a letter to the investigating agencies, 'This is a clear abuse of office. The future of schools' curriculum in Kenya is threatened because top experts were sent on forced leave.'
However, Mabonga distanced himself from the graft, stating, 'I cannot comment on the content of the letter since I have no knowledge of it. The letter is addressed to the investigators and not me, let them do their work.'
